Dension Leadership Development Survey Case Study 3 - Tom

Tom

• 39 years old
• Vice President of Operations, Ink manufacturing company
• Manages 12 direct reports, including Plant Managers in five separate locations
• Responsible for all manufacturing operations of the company's largest division
• On the job for two years

Tom's Background

• Highly competent in manufacturing
• Very self-confident
• Has moved up the corporate ladder at a rapid pace
  
• Highly valued by top management for his ability to run complex operations
• Well thought of by his peers
  
  but
  
  
• Comes across to direct reports as a know-it-all
• Strains relationships by not placing much value on any employee contribution other than hard work
• Has disappointed his boss by not managing his human resources better
  

Tom is a perfectionist, which seems to be his major asset and his biggest liability. While he works extremely hard to run the businesses he is responsible for, he does it at some cost to the people who work for him.

Tom has a history of being the best in academics and sports. He does not believe that there are many ideas around that are better than his, so he does not involve his people in the business to any degree.

His peers see him in a better light, but they are scattered around the company and do not work with him day-to-day. Some of their ratings may be based on results, not on how he achieves them.

Tom's boss got him involved in an executive coaching and counseling program to try to help him develop better leadership skills. Without some significant growth, Tom will not be promoted. In fact, he will probably be moved off track into some technical capacity where his expertise will still be useful, but his lack of leadership abilities won't be as much of a success factor.

View Tom's Survey